Hugh

Yum.

Movie Review - Lady Chatterley

After years and years of watching nothing but Hollywood (and the occasional Bollywood), it is good to watch a movie that actually uses mise en scene, silence and variations of shots to tell a story. Lady Chatterley was a deeply sensuous movie, not just because of the sex (of which there was not as much as you would think), but because it involved a lot of sensory narrative. Whether just watching the plethora of flora and fauna close ups that were shown for their own sake, or studying the wide shots of fields and meadows, the cinematography made the experience about smell, touch and taste as much as sight and sound.

I am sure the story is familiar to most - a young wife of an impotent and crippled husband finds physical release in her gamekeeper, whose rough and uncouth demeanour provide her with the ultimate physical fantasy.

Yes, don't act you like you all don't fantasise about raw, animal passion.

Director Ferran made use of all the tools available at his hand. Even the costuming (for which they won a Caesar) was impeccably used to characterise Lady Chatterley, from innocent to tramp and back to innocent again. Lush greenery suggested verdant passion, while the dead leaves of winter painted a visual of her loneliness. And of course the comparison of her husband's soft flaccid body as she bathed him was in direct opposition to Parkin's hard, roughworked torso as she watched him wash himself.

It did have its draggy moments. I thought the social class angle could have been developed further as well. But overall, it was good to watch a film that was made by film students for film students.

Movie Review - Australia

Australia ironically breaks away from the Australian form of cinematic story-telling and follows a strictly Hollywood formula in bringing this tale of a woman on a quest to save her late husband's cattle ranch from evil commercial forces. Set against a backdrop of WWII, dreamtime magic and of course, love (because every story must have love), the movie was a fulfilling experience.

The performances brought forth by the actors were absolutely beleiveable. Kidman was perfect as the English Rose who discovers she has gumption. Jackman, the penulitmate Australian bloke with a heart of gold and a body like steel - yummy. David Gulpilil, who has acted in what seems like every film every made with an Aboriginal theme, is amazing as the grandfather. And Brandon Walters was heartbreaking as Nullah, the little boy torn between White Australia and the ways of his forefathers. His deep soulful eyes and boyish energy captured my heart.

The movie had many poignant movies which entranced me. The relationship between Lady Ashley and the Drover was of course key, and for me, extremely cathartic. Especially the scene under the boab tree. That is one of my favourite screen kisses now.

The scene between Nullah and Lady Ashley where she tells him about the Wizard of Oz was also very moving. And thanks R. for pointing out the parallel between Wizard of OZ, and Nullah's dream to be the magic man of Oz. I can't beleive I didn't see it.

Hollywood influences aside (really guys, was the Oscar really that important for you to do that?), the movie was very well produced. Some loose edits and strange transitions were a bit jarring, but that could have been done by our censorship board, so I won't put too fine a point on that. But its a must see if you like epic movies.

Cool Christmas

Its been a long time since I have tried to accomplish so much on one day, and I feel extremele blessed that I got to. Here are some Christmas highlights.

Friends who gave me hugs, prezzies and generally a warm fuzzy feeling inside. The loot includeds cookies, chocolates galore, notepaper, handwritten cards and music. All the things I dig, in other words.

Hanan, who was so busy and happy opening presents, he didn't really want to talk. Which makes he kinda happy. That he was happy, y'know.

A lovely, much-treasured older couple who welcomed me into their family celebration two days straight because they didn't want me to be alone.

Hugh Jackman, who looked so hot in Australia, which I saw yesterday. Thanks for making my Christmas all that more memorable, Hugh :)
But seriously, go watch the movie. It really was a beautifully made film. Full review later.

And most importantly, Happy Birthday Jesus! Your birth has changed my life.

Soon it will be Christmas Day

After a month of hustle and bustle, preparing for a musical, buying presents, sending cards, meeting friends and generic running around like headless chicken, its time for me to stop. And think about Christmas and what it means to me.

Before I became a Christian, it was a day to go to church. Yes, strangely enough, my mum always let us go to whatever Christmas thingie my aunt's church organised. It was one way for her to get us out of her hair and yet ensure we were safe and supervised.

Then Christmas became about parties and seeing friends. I remember one season when Christmas always meant going to the Wicks' and basically hang out still they very gently told us to leave. And then of course, Christmas lunch with Joshua and the gang.

Then once Hanan was born, Christmas became more fun. Putting up the tree, hanging decorations, making gingerbread cookies, buying, wrapping and hiding presents, and then revelling in the joy on his face when he opens them.

With Hanan away this Christmas, it won't be the same, but I think I have had time to dwell on the true meaning of Christmas.

I am redeemed because of Christmas. And even if I get no presents, have no parties and don't see anyone, I still know I am loved.

And that's Christmas enough for me.

Opening Night!

Putting on a show
is like dressing up to go
To the Ritz hotel on gala night!
- Portia's Song, Redemption Hill


And yes, it is. Tonight 6 weeks of sleep deprivation, missed dinners and hours of gruelling singing, dancing and acting will culiminate in a 2 hour extravaganza as the first public performance of "Redemption Hill", FGA's Christmas musical production for 2008.

And I am thrilled to my toes to be part of it. There is nothing more fun that seeing a bunch of people, of one mind, come together to take the vision of one genius to a new level.

If you reading this are coming to watch us, then let me tell you you are in for an amazing night!

If you aren't, why not, man?!

6 lines

I am so tired.
I need to sleep.
My house is a mess.
The laundry pile is moving on its own.
I miss my baby.
Yet, I am happy, excited and fulfilled.

You are cordially invited to
Full Gospel Assembly's Christmas 2008 Production

REDEMPTION HILL

A story about a group of people who find the true meaning of Christmas in a time when religion has become illegal.

Dec 18,19,20
Time: 8pm

Doors open at 7:30pm
Tickets are available now. Contact me if you want some.
36 Prinsep Street Level 3 S188648
6339 1317

Hamlet (The Facebook New Feeds Edition)

HAMLET
(FACEBOOK NEWS
FEED EDITION).
BY SARAH SCHMELLING
- - - -

Horatio thinks he saw a ghost.

Hamlet thinks it's annoying when your uncle marries your mother right after your dad dies.

The king thinks Hamlet's annoying.

Laertes thinks Ophelia can do better.

Hamlet's father is now a zombie.

- - - -

The king poked the queen.

The queen poked the king back.

Hamlet and the queen are no longer friends.

Marcellus is pretty sure something's rotten around here.

Hamlet became a fan of daggers.

- - - -

Polonius says Hamlet's crazy ... crazy in love!

Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Hamlet are now friends.

Hamlet wonders if he should continue to exist. Or not.

Hamlet thinks Ophelia might be happier in a convent.

Ophelia removed "moody princes" from her interests.

Hamlet posted an event: A Play That's Totally Fictional and In No Way About My Family

The king commented on Hamlet's play: "What is wrong with you?"

Polonius thinks this curtain looks like a good thing to hide behind.

Polonius is no longer online.

- - - -

Hamlet added England to the Places I've Been application.

The queen is worried about Ophelia.

Ophelia loves flowers. Flowers flowers flowers flowers flowers. Oh, look, a river.

Ophelia joined the group Maidens Who Don't Float.

Laertes wonders what the hell happened while he was gone.

- - - -

The king sent Hamlet a goblet of wine.

The queen likes wine!

The king likes ... oh crap.

The queen, the king, Laertes, and Hamlet are now zombies.

Horatio says well that was tragic.

Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, says yes, tragic. We'll take it from here.

Denmark is now Norwegian.



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